Recently the NBA published a press release about some changes to the 2018 NBA All-Star game and how it's being formatted. Hopefully, this new format will result in a better, more versatile All-Star game experience

For the most part, I have a very fickle, love/hate relationship with fashion outside of my own personal style choices. However, when in NBA All-Star season rolls around, courtside style is something I always take notice of.

NBA All-Star Weekend 2017 commences yet again in the cultured city of New Orleans, Louisiana at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. It would've been cool for it to be in Charlotte, NC, but as we all know, there was a lot of political conflict surrounding that option, so here now we're in NOLA for the third time in NBA All-Star history.

NBA All-Star Celebrity Game

The first event of NBA All-Star weekend begins with the celebrity game on Friday night. Initially, I was hype about the celebrity game just to see partners in crime, Michael Smith (West) and Jemele Hill (Each), coach against each other and watch the Cassidy Hubbarth interviews. I was absolutely loving The Roots' opening performance, as well as that of the local house band, Lil Glenn and Backatown, that performed throughout.

The line-up was as random as expected, but there were only a few celebrities I anticipated watching, such as Romeo Miller and his dad, Master P. I find it a tad disrespectful that they add WNBA stars to this mix, considering how this game is never too serious and these women are actually ballers/athletes, but I digress. Overall, the game was...eh.

I enjoyed the mannequin challenge that commenced the 3rd quarter, although Michelle Beadle was being a hater. I thought it was cute.

State Farm All-Star Saturday Night

My favorite part about Saturday night was the 3-point contest. The collective reactions from the panel and the crowd were priceless, especially those of Dominique Wilkins and James Harden. All participants made it fun to watch. Numbers don't lie and Eric Gordon, making 4/5 on the money ball rack, walks away with the win.

On the other hand, I wasn't a huge fan of the dunk contest this year and actually fell asleep on it. From the highlight reel, however, I could see that GRIII of the Indiana Pacers definitely came to show what he was capable of. I think everyone expected for Aaron Gordon to dominate the dunk contest for a second year in a row, but unfortunately the themes and props outshined the execution aspect. This year, Robinson's victory was inevitable and certainly well deserved.

A $10k per 3-point shot pressure was placed on for Kyrie, Kemba, and Gordon with the newly implemented Sager Shoot-out in honor of Craig Sager, which was dedicated to raising money for the Sager Strong Foundation. Then Reggie Miller comes on the hardwood to join and recruits James Harden, Demar DeRozan, and Candace Parker, and a host of celebrities to participate. Unlike everyone else, Steph Curry was challenged to complete shots from half court and was unsuccessful. An emotional finale moment was Shaq lifting Craig Sager's son, Ryan, in the air, bringing the overall donation to the $500,000 mark they were shooting for. Maybe, Steph's missed shots were intentional, just so we could experience this moment:

Then the show we've all been waiting for: Durant and Westbrook's Sunday Night reunion, which started off explosive and unexpected for a lot of people. Their chemistry kicked in immediately and the muscle memory started working. How could you not love them...together, no less!? Team West's reaction to their alley-oop confirmed that everyone gets it. To be quite honest, I couldn't help but hope there will be a trade meeting taking place sooner than later. It doesn't get much better than KD and Brodie.

On the east side, Steph Curry, Lebron James, and the previously underrated Giannis Antetokounmpo did a really good job and DeRozan gave us all the dunks we missed Saturday Night. Ultimately, West wins 192-182 and Anthony Davis claims the NBA All-Star MVP title.

The official Twitter accoung for #NBAAllStar tweeted out shortly after the game that all-star weekend 2018 will be held in Los Angeles for the fourth time.

In conclusion, the game was the best part about the entire weekend, as expected. Obviously, it warmed my soul to see Durant and Westbrook play together again. I loved the fire that came along with the fun and every player made the experience worthwhile.

Since I was in elementary school, basketball has been the highlight of Valentine's Day weekend for me. Whether it's with my dad, best friend and/or a group of friends, tuning in to NBA All-Star weekend has been an on-going tradition for years.

Only naturally, hip-hop artist and ambassador for the Toronto Rapters, Drake was one of the highlights of NBA All-Star weekend 2016, aside from honoring Kobe Bryant in his the final All-Star appearance of his career.

It's been a few years since I've written an article about NBA All-Star Weekend. This year, the events took place in Brooklyn, NYC and every year I find myself more and more disappointed that I, once again, wasn't prepared to make that trip, a bucket list goal of mine. Nonetheless, I do revel in being able to speculate from the comfort of my couch to tune in to one of my favorite annual sporting events to watch and report.

The weekend's festivities began on Thursday with the Dunk-a-thon, followed by the last NBA game pre-all star weekend, Cavaliers vs. Bulls, Thursday night. I missed it, but Chicago lead with a final score of 113-98.

Friday was the celeb all-star game, which is always fun to watch. The line up is always full of influential celebrities, from NBA owners to notable comedians. Kevin Hart is classic invitee to this particular event that I look forward to seeing him at these games. He's is just so hilarious in his normal demeanor that even if he was trying his absolute best on the court, it's hard to take him seriously. However, he did manage to make a good percentage of his shots, despite the height jokes and comparisons to 13 year-old Little League player, Mo'Ne Davis, and earned his fourth consecutive Sprint Celeb All-Star MVP award.

I was happy to see WNBA rookie, Shonni Schimmel, representing the Atlanta Dream (shoutout to my city), as well as Tulsa Shock player, Skylar Diggins. Some of the other celebs there competing was Anthony Anderson, Common, Nick Cannon, Robert Pera, along with a host of other popular names in a variety of industries.

My Valentine's night was spent in front of my TV screen. It began promptly at 8p.m EST. with the State Farm All-Star night; shooting stars, skills challenge, three-point contest, and last but not least, Sprite slam dunk contest. Although it didn't quite compare to Nate "KrytoNate" Robinson's legendary dunk over Dwight Howard back in 2009, I did enjoy the slam dunk contest this year. I believe there was a fashion show that took place before the events started, but I wasn't really interested in that, but I thought it was a cool little addition to spice things up a bit for all the fashion and style lovers present.

Watching veterans such as Dominique Wilkins and Scottie Pippin get back on the court is always fun, but the sentimental value of Stephen Curry playing alongside his father, Bill Curry was priceless. I was rooting for #TeamWestbrook, but #TeamBosh wins the shooting stars third year in a row.

It's been a while since I've been the least bit of impressed with the dunk contest, but that all changed when I witness the greatness that is Zach LaVine. If you were watching, there's really no need for a huge explanation, but this young man set the bar to its rightful place again...at a fresh 19. It brought me right back to circa '97, watching in amazement the "new" kid, 18 year young Kobe Bryant, do all his cool tricks and having my dad school me on the greats that came before him. So congratulations to Mr. LaVine and thank you for awakening childhood nostalgia.

Both East and West had pretty impressive rosters this year and it's always a naturally good time to see so many talented, athletes just play ball. I loved watching the Gasol brothers go head to head tonight. Clearly, family affairs in sports rivalries intrigue me. I was, however, disappointed that Kobe couldn't make it this time and preparing myself to hear him announce his retirement tomorrow night on 'The Interview'.

In lighter news, my predictions on Twitter turned out to be correct for winning team, but I was on the fence about who would win MVP. (I was going for either, but I absolutely believe Russell Westbrook deserved it.) NBA All-Star champs, West not only wins, but also had the highest scoring All-Star Game in NBA history, according to sources.

This year, my favorite parts, outside of the main event of the NBA All Star game Sunday night, was all-star Saturday and coming in close second was the showcase surrounding the all star game Sunday night. I was jumping up and down for both Ne-yo and Nas, two of my absolute faves in the R&B and Hip-Hop category. Nas hitting us with the realness of NY state of mind in staple army jacket? Classic. I can't say I was too crazy about Christina Aguilera's performing, especially when I thought my girl, A. Keys was about to come on stage, but I still think she did a great job overall. The joke of the night was little miss Ariana Grande, but I personally thought she did really well. She's an amazing vocalist. I just know that all the laughs surrounding her premature look when she's shows out at 50 looking no older than 25, but I digress on that note.

Once again, something sports related was the highlight of my weekend. Grab your passports, because next round, we're crossing American borders! Looking forward to 2016 All Star game in Toronto, Canada!

Anyone who knows me knows how much I live for NBA All-Star Weekend. Ten years ago, I attended my very first NBA All-Star game and I remember music being a token part of that experience from what was playing in my CD player to the sounds surrounding fans during the game tonight. As much as I enjoyed this year's events, I didn't get a chance to do a full recap like I did last year​​​​​​​, but here's a play list of songs I listened to while the game was on: